Early Church History

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Welcome to Christian History Institute’s study modules. Each era of church history is represented by thirteen modules, chosen and introduced by Stephen Tomkins (author of biographies about William Wilberforce and John Wesley, and a Short History of Christianity), or by Dan Graves (author of Scientists of Faith, Great Women in Christian History and other books). The thirteen selections in each era are perfect for a thirteen-week quarter.

To get to an era’s study modules, click on the links below or choose from the “Sections” menu on the left

For the purpose of our study modules, we define the early church as the first six hundred years of church history. This section covers topics such as the Didache, Constantine’s conversion, the Council at Nicea, and the teachings of Augustine.

These thirteen modules, consisting of excerpts from documents in church history, were chosen and introduced by church historian Stephen Tomkins. They are intended for self study or as a quarterly introduction to church history for a weekly Sunday school class or other study group.

For the arrangement of our modules, the Medieval church covers 600 to 1300AD. This section covers topics such as Charlemagne, the Crusades, Peter Waldo, and Thomas à Kempis.

Except for the Waldo module, these thirteen studies, consisting of excerpts from documents in church history, were chosen and introduced by church historian Stephen Tomkins. They are intended for self study or as a quarterly introduction to church history for a weekly Sunday school class or other study group.

The Reformation modules pick up in 1300 and run through the early part of the 1600s. This segment covers topics such as John Wycliffe, Luther’s Catechism, John Foxe, and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.

These thirteen modules, consisting of excerpts from documents in church history, were chosen and introduced by church historian Stephen Tomkins. They are intended for self study or as a quarterly introduction to church history for a weekly Sunday school class or other study group.

The Post-Reformation modules pick up in 1580 and run through the early 1800s. This section covers topics such as Menno Simons, the King James Bible, John and Charles Wesley, and William Carey.

These thirteen modules, consisting of excerpts from documents in church history, were chosen and introduced by Dan Graves. They are intended for self study or as a quarterly introduction to church history for a weekly Sunday school class or other study group.